The University of Regina Rams opened their preseason with a dramatic 31-28 win over the Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg.
The Rams’ Jacob Tkachuk's first-quarter interception set the table for the game's first points. Starting quarterback Noah Pelletier hit Ambrose Abiara for a 39-yard completion, and another 20-yard pass to Quinton Fettes set up a 4-yard touchdown run for Pelletier to put the Rams up 7-0.
The Rams would take a 13-3 lead into halftime thanks to the Pelletier major and two field goals by kicker Ty Gorniak.
Another Gorniak field goal and a five-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Nyambiya put the Rams up 23-3 early in the fourth, but Manitoba reeled off 25 unanswered points to take the lead over the defending Canada West champions.
However, second-year quarterback Conner Kerr would lead the Rams down the field on the game's final drive. A pair of big plays by rookie running back Onan Furst and two pass interference penalties got the Rams into scoring position. Damian Cherry's major with just 13 seconds remaining from the one-yard line gave the visitors the victory.
Rams head coach Mark McConkey liked what he saw from his group in the preseason test.
“Our older group played in the first half and did a great job executing. Then our younger players got a taste of Canada West football. This group stayed in it right until the end and found ways to make plays with the game on the line. I thought Conner Kerr had a good game for us and Eythan Crites had some huge returns on special teams, and I know the defensive guys loved what they saw from Owen Zimmer, Maddux Elson, Jacob Tkachuk, and Kaeden Brennan."
The Rams open the Canada West regular season and defence of their Hady Cup championship next Friday in Calgary against the Dinos.
